Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a new approach to national unity — one rooted in dialogue with what he described as “misguided elements” — in a move that could mark a shift in how the state addresses dissent.
Chairing a closed-door session on national security and internal cohesion, the Prime Minister said Pakistan must now focus on winning hearts rather than escalating tensions. “Those who’ve strayed away from the national path, if willing to talk and return, must be offered a door,” he said, addressing senior ministers, advisers, and intelligence officials.
While reaffirming that militancy and terrorism would be dealt with firmly, Sharif differentiated between active threats and communities that feel sidelined. “We have regions where the youth don’t feel seen, heard, or invested in. This alienation breeds frustration — and that’s where healing must begin,” he remarked.
According to insiders familiar with the meeting, the government is considering setting up localized initiatives — not amnesty, but inclusion. These would include council-level peace talks, trust-building measures in volatile districts, and stronger engagement with tribal and provincial voices.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi supported the idea, telling the room, “Security doesn’t come from weapons alone — it comes when people believe the country is theirs.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid simmering unrest in Balochistan and certain tribal belts, where disenfranchisement has festered for decades. Observers say this renewed call for reconciliation, while cautious, reflects growing recognition within the state that aggressive policing alone has limits.
Some see this outreach as long overdue. Analysts suggest that a balance between strength and sensitivity might finally be forming in the national strategy. “This isn’t appeasement — it’s realism,” said one senior bureaucrat. “You can’t jail an ideology, but you can disarm it through inclusion.”
Still, the road ahead is uncertain. Critics have questioned how the government will draw the line between dialogue and compromise. “We can talk to the disillusioned, yes — but there must be red lines,” noted a retired security official who spoke off the record.
While nothing concrete was announced, the tone of the meeting hinted at a softer political outlook — one that leans more on listening than lecturing. A working group is reportedly being formed to design engagement plans for the most troubled districts.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging his team to prioritize patience and understanding in policy. “You cannot force belonging. It must be earned, through trust.”
Whether this shift leads to meaningful reintegration remains to be seen. But for the first time in years, the official line appears to be shifting — from confrontation toward conversation.
